
Glass. 
Book. 



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WITH THE 

351st 

(N FRANCE 




WITH THE 



51st 

FRANCE 




(A DIARY] 



COMPILED BY 



SERGEANT WILLIAM O. ROSS 

— AND — 

COKPORAL DUKE L. SLAUGHTER 
Battery "B'* 35Ist Field Artilery 



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PUBLISHED BY 
T3-1E AFRO — AMERICAN COMPANY 
BALTIMORE. 



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■^'IT TOOK THE 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 

^ TO M4.KE THE KAISER LAY HIS WEAPONS DOWN 

'IT TOOK THE 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 


TO MAKE THE KAISER SHED HIS CROWN 

^WHEN THE 351st BEGAN TO STRUTT HER STUFF 

^ OLD KAISER BIhL SAID, "THE GOINGS TOO ROUGH 

ir TOOK THE SSlst FIELD ARTILLERY 

TO MAKE THE KAISER. LAY HIS WEAPONS DOWN." 



^A* ^^* "^ ^* ^* jt^ '^* 



JUNE 16 — There was moving and rumors of moving. 
Already the 368th Infantry was on the high seas, and our 
daily programs for the past three weeks were sufficient 
evidence that we were soon to follow. Quoting the "La- 
treen Herald," some said that we were to move, first to 
Camp Upton, (New York) where we were to pass thru a 
more thorough physical examination, and which exami- 
nation would require at least ten days, v/hiie others, with 
the "latest Latreen," had it that we were to sail from an 
"Atlantic port" in less than a week. 

And this was Sunday after the second greatest day 
of festivities that Camp Meade had witnessed since it had 
given birth to the two regiments: the 368th Infantrv and 
the 351st Field Artillery. 

The first great clay was when the 368th gave its 
parting reception and friends from one hundred miles 
around and even further, had made their last, and some 
their first and only visit to the old camp. This, however, 
was Sunday, after our great day, for on Saturday. (June 
15) we were in the glory of our feasting, dancing and 
other similar activities which were wont to precede such 



occasions ; and now we had come to the last few hours 
of parting — houi-s of soft regret. 

Passing in review, and some for the last time, while 
thousands of mothers, wives, sweethearts and dear 
friends looked on, the 351st, with muffled martial tread, 
swung through the estwhile Company streets of the 368th 
Infantry, up the sandy hill, past the bandstand and into 
the waiting cars. 

A mass of gushing black smoke, a creaking, grind- 
ing strain of engine wheels and amid a multitude of wav- 
ing, tear-stained hankerchiefs, the waving of a thousand 
hats and hands of as many different. styles and hues, our 
double-header pulled out. As the white tops of the solid 
mass of barracks faded away behind the towering pines, 
we waved farewell to old Camp Meade and to one lone 
guard who walked his post on the outskirts of the camp. 

Now as the train came to a slow-down at the great 
Philadelphia station (B. & O.) the gates flew open and 
in surged another multitude of relatives and friends to 
say their last good-bye. Here the ladies of the Red 
Cross served us to sandwiches, block cream and ciga- 
rettes. But soon the City of Brotherly Love, too, was at 
our backs and we were making for the State of New Jer- 
sey. 

JUNE 17 — Up the Hudson River we were ferried to 
Hoboken, where, outside the big warehouse door, in mod- 
est majesty lay the "Great Northern." Here in the ware- 
house, we were again served by the ladies of the Red 
Cross; this time to hot coffee and buns. Through the 
warehouse door and up the gangplank no less than two 
thousand Yanks streamed — the 317th Sanitary Train 
from Camp Funston, a detachment of Signal Corpsmen 
and a detachment of Engineers, both white and both 
from Camp McClellan (Ala.) and the 351st Field Artil- 
lery from Camp Meade. As we passed onto the gang- 
plank each man was given a slip of paper bearing the 
following instructions: 



U. S. S. GREAT NORTHERN 

SAFETY REGULATIONS 

IN FORCE AT ALL TIMES 

Troop Space 4C Bunk No. 78 Abandon Ship, Unit 2 

Nothing to be thrown overboard. 

Nothing to be thrown in the Heads. 

All refuse to receptacles provided. Dumped only as or- 
dered. 

= IN FORCE ALWAYS WHEN AT SEA. 

Screen lights at sunset. 

After sunset, no smoking on weather decks — no lights, 
no matches. 

The ship carries very little fresh water. Use sparingly 

All watertight doors to be kept closed, except for 
access. 

Do not open air ports. 

Ship's company berth only as assigned. 

IN FORCE ONLY IN SUBMARINE ZONE: 
Do not take off any clothing. 
Keep warmly clad. 

Keep your life belt on day and night, at all times. 
No hammocks for ship's company. 
Ship's company camp out nearest to station^ as ordered 

WARNING ! 
Failure to comply: court-martial charges. 

W. W. PHELPS, Captain U. S. Navy. 
Commanding U. S. S. Great Northern. 



Hustling to our assigned bunks each man soon had 
his pack unslung and was ready to explore this g-reat big 
transport. 

JUNE 18 — ^Today we spent in rambling, both on 
and below deck. The mess hall is in the salon. Swinging 
tables fill that space where ordinarily tables with legs 
could not easily be placed. The meals are prepared in 
huge copper kettels, bread is baked on board the ship 
and the toilet arrangements are excellent, with that one 
common exception — salt water. The upper deck is cov- 
ered with rafts and on the "aft" a large box sets which 
we think contains an aeroplane. Four six inch guns crown 
her decks "fore" and "aft"; also two machine guns and 
two one pounders. Watch stations are numerous — about 
ten — from which guards keep watch for submarines. The 
sailors are ever busy with their endless chain of ropes 
but seemingly never accomplish much. In the offiers* 
dining room there are Negro and Japanese boys wearing 
white coats which contrast beautifully with their dark 
skins. We may sail tomorrow as soon as the oil is pump- 
ed in from the oil boat which has lain along side us for 
the last two days. 

JUNE 19 — The gangplank drawn, the port holes 
closed and she swings for open sea. No sign of life 
on the decks — a guard against spies. Through the port 
holes we wave good-bye to patriotic passengers on ferry 
boats plying between New York and the Jersey side. 

Below deck it was smothering to us who were acr- 
customed to the open air of army life, therefore, after 
we were about five knots off the coast we were ordered 
on deck. The scene had changed from "the silvery sands 
of old Camp Meade" to that of a blue sea; and some- 
where beyond this great ocean that stretched away be- 
fore our eyes, lay a world of misery, tumult and unrest, 
and of which we, too, were soon to become a part. Close 
on, behind, the Sister Ship was drawing up; destroyers 
on either side, were gliding through this mirror of emer- 



X^^~-^&^' '^ * 




- ^-^tl^^-S. 1 



aid blue while from above we were guarded by patrolling 
aeroplanes. 

Surely we were off, and as Gotham's towering sky- 
line faded in the deepening twilight mists, we waved 
good-bye to the Statue of Liberty and threw one last fond 
kiss. The stars and moon came out; the sea was calm, 
and in the excitement of our first night out no less than 
two thousand Yanks stood guard. There is no more 
thrilling experience than that of watching for submarineg 
in a treacherous sea. 

JUNE 20 — We wake to find ourselves well into 
the deep waters, and after a very early morning rain 
the .wind is fair. The sun comes up — a sight most beau- 
tiful. Our Sister Ship glides placidly along abreast, while 
on either side are torpedo destroyers. The floating 
cloud patches waste away, the sun breaks through a sil- 
very haze and as the blue sea unrolls to view, far down 
to the southeast flashes a scouting aeroplane. On board 
there are the cheerful and the sea-sick, and while the sea- 
sick grovel in their more sickening corners the cheerful 
swarm the decks, their eyes bent toward the skyline, still 
on guard for lurking submarines. Once today our ma- 
chine guns blazed away at sharks and at night when all 
was dark they fired again, but at what, no one knew as 
no one could see. 

JUNE 21 — Our third day out and the weather favor- 
able — slightly cold and a light wind. This morning we 
will have a little target practice. The gunners are very 
busy preparing for action, bustling about getting the pro- 
jectiles ready and getting the powder charges in shape. 
Now our Sister Ship (a transport by day but by night a 
ghostly shadow against a hazy sea) takes a zigzag course 
and drops a long rope to which is attached an instrument 
which acts like a spray in the water. Our gunners get 
the range, deflection and elevation, and soon the guns 
belch forth. The target is hit and the ship's vast cargo 
of human freight is set clamoring with rasping applause. 
No greater comfort can come to us than the knowledge 



ORDNANCE COMPANY 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 



of good gunners aboard, and as our ship speeds on, there 
iseems to come over all a feeling of security. In the af- 
ternoon we listened to a band concert by the 317th Sani- 
tary Train Band. From 3:30 to 4:00 p. m., we had 
physical drill which was preceeded by a morning inspec- 
tion similar to those Saturday morning inspections back 
in camp. 

JUNE 22 — The waves roll high for the sea is rough. 
A fellow can hardly stay on foot; the wind is sharp, and 
those who are on deck wear raincoats or overcoats. Just 
to think of it — the 22nd of June and at Camp Meade it 
was too hot to wear a blouse. But such is life on the sea 
for newcomers, and eastward, ever eastward we sail on. 
After evening mess the dining room was crowded to its 
limits with both soldiers and sailors to listen to a very 
interesting program. At 8 the program began. Among 
us were some very good talent and very soon the dangers 
of a submarine infested sea were forgotten. Every one 
was enjoying the best concert we had witnessed in a long, 
long time, and it w^s not until 10 o'clock that our enjoy- 
ment came to an end. But now as we enter the WAR 
ZONE every one must be quiet and as the night grows 
old the boys scatter to their bunks and are soon fast 
asleep. 

JUNE 23 — This is a perfect morning; the blue sea 
glitters and flashes under the hot siJn, unruffled by wind 
and only bursting into a long line of creamy foam where 
it licks the camouflaged sides of our swiftly gliding trans- 
port. It is warm and the sailors tell us we are passing 
through the Gulf Stream. This morning I think of home 
and of the pleasures of my delightful Sundays — a fine 
breakfast, and then the remainder of the day my own, 
to "sport it" too, just as I choose. Our band is entertain- 
ing on the upper deck — some national airs and some sa- 
cred music made spicy by a little of our old popular rag- 
time. The applause is great. 

It is now afternoon and as we bask in the warm siin- 
shine on the upper deck, the alarm for abandon ship drill 



is sounded. Every man is up and off in a flash, to get to 
his unit. Just as all were about settled a snot was fired. 
Many of the fellows were terribly frightened for they 
thought a mine or submarine had struck our transport. 
Another shot was heard, but our nerves were more steady / 
and we waited only to find that the shots had been fired 
at a bouy. Another shot, but this third one passed thru 
the remains of what had once been a bouy. Again we 
had a feeling of security for now we knew that wherever 
old Fritze might chance to show himself, if he even dared, 
he would be greeted with a warm reception. 

This evening, at sundown, off our starboard side, at 
quite a distance, two ships leaped in sight. That condor's 
vision of two thousand Yanks bent to seaward and swept 
the skyline with a single glance. They gave us no signal 
and our transports fired. Not until we had fired ten 
times did we get the signal that these were Allied vessels. 
Soon all was quiet again. But as we were in the war zone 
we kept constantly on watch. After a good mess we 
were entertained in the mess hall with the movies. 

JUNE 24 — A pleasant morning with a calm sea be- 
fore us. About eight o'clock the signal came to the gun- 
ners that a noise was heard off the bow. With the quick- 
ness of an eagle, they pounced upon an object about eight 
hundred yards away (a whale) and fired. We were not 
able to determine the result of the fire, but no whale was 
afterwards seen. Whales have been known to capsize 
very large vessels or to injure them in collisions to such 
an extent that they are put out of commission, therefore 
gunners always fire on them, but now (in time of war) 
gunners fearing treachery fire at almost anything. 

I am beginning to feel like a sailor, now, after four 
days out. Tomorrow we hope to pull into port. 

Tonight is a busy night for me as I am Sergeant of 
the Guard with a detail of twenty-five privates and two 
corporals. We are in the most dangerous part of ihe 
war zone and every guard and every member of the crew 
must be constantly on the alert. We are to meet a tor- 

9 



pedo destroyer and a convoy tonight and ail troops are 
ordered to make reveille at 3:15 a. m., as there might be 
an alarm sounded and every one must be in his unit with- 
out unnecessary rushing or crowding. 

JUNE 25 — At 11 o'clock I came off guard and lay 
down upon the deck for a few hours rest. I had hardly 
fallen asleep when the alarm sounded. The boys came 
pouring out on deck and pushing in and out until they 
found their proper places. There are no convoys in 
sight yet and the sailors tell us that we are about five 
hundred miles off the coast of France. Day Is breaking, 
but no sun, for it is cloudy. We are anxiout'/, and, may- 
be, a little too anxiously, awaiting for convoys to put in. 
their appearance. I am still Sergeant of the Guard and 
it keeps me hustling to get my men together, gei their 
mess, and have them posted on time. 

Now as the convoys draw in sight, the entire ship is 
wild with joy. It is nine o'clock and as thcv draw up, 
two take their places alongside the Sister Ship and two 
alongside us. The journey is fast drawing to its end 
and so far all is well. Submarine fears are ended and 
although the submarine chasers are swaying lo and fro, 
switching and turning all around us, just as if they were 
on the heated trail of some undersea demon, we fear no 
evil for the very sight of them strengthens our sense of 
security. As twilight time comes stealing, and the shad- 
ows of our many convoys lengthen, the crew begins to 
screen the lights and no smoking is allowed. Most of the 
fellows are growing weary now and as they had only a 
short night's rest, and must get up at 2 ;30 a. m,. they are 
seeking out their bunks in cozy corners near the smoke 
stacks. 

JUNE 26 — Answering the alarm we were up and out 
on time. Early this' morning the band gave a concert — 
cheering the boys over the "last, long mile," and trying to 
shorten the journey. Towards noon we were met by a 
French destroyer, so now we have an abundance of pro- 
tection. Now^ aeroplanes and even a dirgible come into 

10 



view, giving renewed energy and adding more cheer to 
the anxious Yanks. 

Behold the lighthouse and then the land ! 

As we enter the great port of Brest we see numerous 
vessels laying outside the wall — the breakwater. Our 
ship anchors. 

Brest sits on a hill that is dotted with myriads of 
smoky gray houses that look out over the waters. Sloping 
away on one side it is flanked by a vast wall giving the 
appearance of a fort, while on the other side it slopes 
away only to return to the water's edge. Soon the crew 
is busy unloading the ship and details from each battalion 
are sent to help them and to stand guard. The boys are 
at a loss as how to keep up with the time. The days are 
long, and the sun sets at 8:30 p. m., but, seemingly, it is 
never dark. The moon comes out in its brilliancy and 
appears to be just over the hill. 

JUNE 27 — Reveille at 4:00 a. m. The boys were 
astir with more vigor than during the past week, and as 
the ferry boat which was to take us over to the wharf, 
drew along side the ship, we were prancing like horses 
in our anxiety to get unloaded. 

It was nine o'clock as we drew up to the wharf. 
Colored stevedores were busy on the docks, and as far as 
we could see along the waters' edge. Many of them 
turned aside from their work to greet us and to stare. 
Old Boche watched us too, as he stood under guard, a 
prisoner as he should have been long years ago. Our 
Battery was soon formed and the entire Regiment began 
its hike (the first on foreign soil, and now, as the 351st 
F. A., A. E. F.) through the streets of Brest and out to 
the Pontanazen Barracks. 

''Cigaretts for pa pa" and an "Oh! la, Ja." from 
some high window were our first introduction to the land 
of "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity." We notice that 
almost everyone wears black and we take it that it is be- 
clause the French are mourning for their dead heroes. 

11 



The boys wear aprons which cover their clothing from 
the knee up. We see in a little hovel, near the road, a 
number of women washing in the water of a pool, and as 
some kneel and rub others are pounding the linen with a 
wooden paddle. No young men are to be seen for they are 
in the trenches. The young women are cordial, and from 
her window one yelled to us in plain English, "hello 
boys!" 

As we turned to the left on the high road, in the dis- 
tance a high wall with an arched entrance flashed into 
view. This was Pontanazen Barracks. But outside the 
wall in the tents we rested and for several days we were 
here in the dust and filth of this foreign camp — so dif- 
ferent from Camp Meade — no water, poor food and nu- 
merous other things which enter into making a soldier's 
fare miserable. 

When we broke camp and hiked back to the little 
station where we were to board the train for some city 
further inland, we were very much surprised and amused 
too, at the sight of the little dinky engine and the cramp- 
ed-up and shabby little box cars on which we were to 
make the trip. "Hommes — 40 and Cheaveux — 14" read 
the capacity sign, and sure enough we were piled into 
these miserable little cars 40 to a car. Thus we began 
our first journey by rail in France and great was our dis- 
comfort. Taking the route through LeMans and down 
through Poitiers, traveling would have been a pleasure 
but for our cramped-up positions. The scenery was beau- 
tiful. On our second morning out of Brest, we were per- 
mitted to get out of our cars at the station of a very pret- 
ty little village, where we washed, filled our canteens 
with water and were served to hot coffee by French sol- 
diers. The coffee was not sweet. The scenery was in- 
deed beautiful; the rivers, mountains, valleys, forests 
and acres of excellent crops. And we wonder now, with 
all the men at the front, how the harvest will be. One of 
the beautiful little towns in which we stopped to feed 
reminds me of Camden's (N. J.) beauty. Ilere, too, the 

' 12 



people were cordial, but many stared at us as if they had 
, never before seen an American soldier. This was Mont- 
morillion and on a large bridge under which the train en- 
tered to the station, many French women and children 
crowded and stared at us as we fed our hungry selves. 

JULY 4th. — We were not here long but piled back 
into the skimpy box cars and were soon again on our 
journey. The train came to a stop at the little station of 
of Lathus. We were given orders to detrain. Slinging- 
packs, we were soon on a road march. Just about one 
mile from the station we came to a large diamond shap- 
ed field where cows were grazing. Marching in we lined 
up according to batteries and were ordered to pitch tents 
Soon we had changed this beautiful field from an idle 
plot of weeded soil upon which village cows grazed to 
that of a hustling, bustling American Artillery Camp. 

In the way of a Fourth of July Celebration everjr 
Battery was treated to rich French wine of which every 
member drank freely. 

JULY 5th, — The French are celebrating their In- 
dependence Day and although Lathus is a very small 
village, it is very noticeable that they are having a gala 
day. Our pieces arrived today and we are overjoyed. 
In the afternoon many visitors from "kilometers" around 
came in to see us to get some idea of the American sol- 
diers' camp life. They were very friendly and sang for 
us. Our band in return played for them. This was a 
day of introduction for us ; the beginning of acquaintan- 
ces which grew to be real sincere in their natures, and we 
began to show our appreciation even on this first day by 
walking home with some of our new acquaintances who 
lived nearby. 

JULY 6.— Now, after almost three weelcs of rest we 
are entering our real training as members of the A. E. F. 
The gun squads are being picked, instrument and tele- 
phone details are being formed while others are study- 
ing the care of horses. But there are new formations 
to learn~gun drills and practice artillery drills for a hors6 

13 



drawn artillery regiment. Old squad-righting is no more 
and but for a five-mile hike to the river on Sundays and 
Wednesdays all is heavy artillery. 

JULY 7 — Now at it in real earnest, we are learning 
about the deflection, range elevation and different pow- 
der charges, while telephone men are stretciiing wires 
all over the field. A school for those who wish to learn 
to speak French is held every afternoon and those who 
had a little previous knowledge of the language are in 
attendance. 

JULY 8 — The Battery oflEices have been concentrat- 
ed over the nearest wine shop on the main street, while 
Headquarters are located nearer, and in a more spacious 
building. Details are busily engaged getting these of- 
fices straightened out while others attend to the hauling 
of the water and the building of a guard house. After 
retreat we are permitted to leave the camp in details and 
to visit on the main street where we pass the time with the 
little French madamoiselles and gather around the tables 
of the wine shops. We have learned of "cognac" the 
very popular but strictly forbidden Frencii drink, (for- 
bidden because of its highly intoxicating quality.) But 
there are wines and beer, and oceans of both — soft drinks 
— but we have no French money, nor have we learned to 
count it. Most of us, when purchasing any article, ex- 
tract a hand-full of money of a small denomination and 
hold it in our hand while madam takes out the price of a 
drink. She, too, is just as ignorant as to how to count 
our money and very often takes two American dimes for 
fifty centimes each, or, as many quarters (counting each 
to equal the French franc) as she would charge us francs 
if we had the French money. 

JULY 9 — There is no rest, of course, in this army, 
and today, just as on many others, we are hard at it. 
Daily drills and physical exercises and inspections of all 
kinds. The boys are learning to speak the language and 
cjuite often after retreat they are seen promenading in the 

14 



lanes near the hedges with the madamoiselles. Band 
concerts are given every afternoon in the church yard on 
the main street. 

JULY 14 — Today the boys left for LaCourane, to the 
machine gun school, to the telephone school and others 
to get horses in Toulouse. 

JULY 15 — A corporal from each Battery was sent to 
gas school today, Corporal Holloman being sen:: from our 
Battery. Other details were sent into southern France to 
get trucks. We think they went to Bordeaux. 

AUGUST 4 — Today we "pulled off" a great track 
meet: sprinting, high and broad jumping, fatigue races, 
tug of war and similar stunts. Many vis::ors came as 
spectators and many as the result of a direct invitation. 
It can be very readily seen that we are maKrng progress 
with our French. Tomorrow will find quite a number of 
us attending their religious services for they are as inter- 
esting as they are strange, and on Sundays especially are 
there many pretty visitors in the village from neighboring 
towns and from their homes in the country. 

AUGUST 5 — Today we listened to an excellent 
sermon by our Chaplain, Lieutenant Woolfork, and had 
song service. After noon mess we were allowed to go 
out of camp. Today the Madamoiselles are all ''dolled 
up" and instead of the clumsy wooden shoes they are 
wearing their high heeled boots. They also Iiave on hats 
which is part of their Sunday dress. Ordinarily they go 
"without hats even in the rain. Many have come in from 
neighboring towns in their dainty little carts and some 
on bicycles. Today we hiked to the river for a bath and 
to wash our soiled clothes. Many men, women and chil- 
dren watched us while we washed ourselves nor did they 
seem the least bit embarrassed. In the afternoon our 
band gave a concert. The boys, and many of them with 
their French sweethearts, were the happy audience. 

Money is running low. No pay since we struck 
France — gee !' 

15 



AUGUST 11— The 312th Field Artillery (white) has 
made its appearance in the town. Now it so happened 
that a certain sergeant is very much in love with a little 
wine shop madamoiselle near the bakery. He has helped 
her serve the boys to wine and beer and has made quite 
a trade for his little fiancee. He says they are married 
and when we ask her she replies in the afilrmative. To- 
day the wine rooms were crowded, both up and down 
stairs, with both white and colored soldiers. 

Friday was payday, and in French money. Most 
likely intoxiated, a white soldier inquired, "where is that 
'nigger' waiter?" Then pandemonium reigned. A free 
for all fight started, and in a very short while the whole 
village was in an uproar. The Colonel was sent for, but 
our Colonel was out of the city. Very soon irie Colonel 
of the 312th came on the scene pleading and begging 
the boys that they do no mischief. A double guard was 
ordered out. While the fight progressed, the band was 
called out to attract the boys from the thickest part of 
the fray. Finally the crowd was dispersed and the "poor 
white" was taken limping to the camp by his comrades. 
One of our boys received a stab wound in the leg. Later 
we learned that the "poor white" was taken ill and pass- 
ed over. 

Our boys were ordered back to camp, but we all are 
in the same camp and as they returnecl they sang and 
yelled and whooped. In their pup tents could be heard 
the snapping of triggers and as the night grew on they 
formed in groups where from time to time hardier spirits 
uttered profane and ear-burning oaths. 

AUGUST 12 — At 4:00 a. m., we were awakened, 
rolled our packs, had mess by the light of a great barn 
fire and, of course, policed up. Then to the step of our 
excellent band music we marched through tlie main street 
of Lathus and into the same little dinky jbox cars which 
had brought us here just eight weeks ago. As we passed 
near the church I saw some women crying and I wonder- 
ed just how many times they had experienced this sad 

16 



parting during- the four years that so many of ^their own 
boys had left them. "Death awaits you too. ihe same 
cruel death that has claimed so many of our sons and 
for whom now our nation mourns," is what they seemed 
to say as they stood bidding us good-bye with tears in ' 
their eyes, 

iWe have learned to love Lathus and even though 
there are not enough girls for all the fellows, we like La- 
thus all the more. Now we are leaving Lathus to the 
whites and most likely forever, but we leave feeling that 
in return for their genuine hospitality we will fight the 
harder as each day we draw nearer the front. 

At the station our sweethearts and friends came to 
say good-bye, and we left Lathus feeling that we were 
leaving our own homes. The trip was a short one this 
time, through many more beautiful and interesting vil- 
lages and towns. We stopped only once or twice to eat 
and fill our canteens. Begging cigaretts, many children 
greeted us at nearly every station. We threw them cig- 
aretts, tobacco and pennies. 

After an eight hour ride we pulled into LaCourtine. 
Getting off the train we were formed and marched thru 
the main street up to the camp. Unslinging our packs 
as we entered the large rooms of the spacious barracks, 
we were soon comfortably settled and fixed Tor a good 
night's rest; 

AUGUST IS^This is Camp LaCourtine, one of the 
largest artillery camps in France. The town proper nes- 
tles in the valley away up in the mountains. Around 
the station is LaCourtine proper, but, there is "High 
Town" up on the hill, just as large and just as pretty. The 
barracks cover many acres, stretching from near the 
heart of the city along the lake until they reach the foot 
of the mountain which we climb to get to the range. To- 
day, while we were not on detail, we were exploring 
both in camp and in town. The 58th (white) artillery 
is here, but they are planning to leave. They tell us that 
the 349th and 350th (colored) are soon to come here„ 

17 



They wear their gas masks and steel helmets at all times, 
even sleeping in them, and tell us that we, too, must dcr 
the same before we leave for the front. 

There are beaucoup I'vin shops and tonight they are 
doing a rushing business. 

AUGUST 14 — The telephone details, machine gun- 
ners, horsemen, truck drivers and all other details have 
rejoined us. We have brought our horses from Lathus 
and are beginning to receive an abundance ol harness. 
We are busier than ever now and have formed an in- 
strument detail. Out in the park the boys are still in 
artillery drills and very soon they say our pieces (guns) 
will be moved to the range. In the afternoon, after re- 
treat, I attended the m.ovies at the excellent Y. M. C. A. 
building. This is indeed a lovely building- a big canteen 
and lunch room in one end where we are served to sand- 
wiches, peaches, pears, and hot chocolate; while at the 
canteen, we buy cigaretts, tobacco, cakes and the like. 
Over to the commissary we are permitted to buy in bulk — 
boxes of cigars, cartons of cigarettes, cans of jam, towels 
and the like. Upstairs is the movie and vaudeville room. 
The reading room is in the long wooden barracks across 
the street, behind which is also a room for Indoor games 
— pool, billiards, checkers and others. Behind is the ten- 
nis court and in front a large drill ground where in the 
afternoons we play ball. 

AUGUST 15 — Hiking around the mountain sides we 
drink in the real beauty of the country for kilometers 
around. The gun squads drill in the park; the telephone 
details are stretching wires everywhere; the machine gun 
squads are busily running here and there with their guns 
while the horsemen are harnessing and unharnessing 
lame and sickly horses. We bathe in the stream that 
runs into the lake and eat on the side of the road that 
comes up by the hospital. Many vendors of fruits, nuts 
and the New York Herald and Daily Mail come and stand 
at the gates of the camp from earlv in the morning until 
late in the eveninp-s. In the evening's we are permitted 

18 



to leave the camp. Many go to the "Y" to enjoy the 
movies, to the reading- room or to the barracks of indoor 
games, while those of more venturesome natures, go to 
High Town where they eat twenty and thirty franc meals 
and drink their fill of the delicious wines and champagne. 

AUGUST 16 — Our new guns have come in, and to 
me, they look too pretty to shoot, but shoot them we 
must, and off to the range we go. We have placed them 
in position far up the mountain side and tomorrow we 
will try our hand at firing. The 349th and 350th Regi- 
ments have moved into the barracks below us and they, 
too, are hustling their pieces into position while behind 
us near the guard-house the 317th Trench r.Iortar Bat- 
talion is as bus3^ as a bee trying to get their stumpy little 
pieces in shape for the drive against the Kaiser. In a 
very interesting ball game between the 58th F. A. (white) 
and the 349th F. A,, the latter were winners. At night I 
attended the movies and the vaudeville — soldiers, both 
white and colored, performing. 

AUGUST 17—1 am Chief of Section of the 1st Pla- 
toon, and now the real fun begins. We are to shoot for 
the first time today, and all are nervous. The shells are 
brought up, the powder charges arranged, the primers 
and fuses are gotten in readiness and we sluff our ears 
with cotton. The shells are very heavy, some weighing 
as much as seventy-five pounds. 



FIRING DATA. 

Executive; Elevation 2305. 

Chief of Section: 2305. 

Ex: ''Deflection 450." 

Ch. of Sec. "Deflection 450." 

Ex. ''Shell F. A." 

Ch. of Sec. "Shell F. A." 



Ex. "Fuse S. R." 

Ch. of Sec. "Fuse S. R. 

Ex. "Charge 0." 

Ch. of Sec. "Charge 0." 

Ex. "Battery Right." 

Ch. of Sec. "Battery Right." 

Ex. "Six Rounds." 

Ch. of Sec. "Six Rounds." 

Ex. "Fire at my command, 30 second intervals." 
Ch. of Sec. "Fire at my command, 30 second in- 
tervals. 

Gunner. "Set." 
No. 1. ' "Ready." 

Ch. of Sec. "Stand Clear." "No. 1 Gun Squad in 
order, sir." (Salute.) 

Ex. "Fire." 

Ch. of Sec. "Fire." 



All stand clear and old Gussie belches forth for the 
first time. A wicked whistling across the sky as the ter- 
rible projectile takes its course through the air. An- 
other order comes down and we repeat the feat. We 
fired about twenty-five shots today and at night, after 
taps, about twenty-five thousand words were exchanged 
in the excitement of this our first experience. 

AUGUST 18 — Now that we are getting acquainted 
with LaCourtine, the girls begin to attract us and many of 
us visit nearby towns to pay calls. It is getting too cold 
to bathe in the stream and now we go to shower baths 
twice each week at the hospital. After retreat, in the 
?oattery street, the boys play football — kicking the ball — 
while others go to the movies or remain in their squad 
rooms and "roll the bones." We have now four regular 
and four reserve gun squads. They go out alternately 
and fire every day. The horses are being trained (rather 



exercised, poor devils) and now we must wear our gas 
masks and steel helmets twenty-four hours each day. 

AUGUST 19 — We go on long hikes wearing our gas 
masks and visit the gas proof dugouts. This afternoon 
we went to the gas house where every fellow was led in- 
to a room filled with gas and then made to remove his 
mask. Out on the range the boys are still at it while even 
there the madamoiselles come to visit them, and Oh! la, 
la. Sweet Pa Pa. (Compre?) 

SEPTEMBER 8 — Today we are digging in new po- 
sitions while the rain pats us on our backs. Tonight we 
may get more cognac. The boys back at the barracks 
still squads right and go on long hikes, wearing their gas 
masks. The guards have been given instructions 
to arrest all men found not wearing their gas 
masks and helmets. Our barrack bags are being takeri 
from us and all extra, equipment. It is rumored that we 
are soon to leave for the front. Next wee:c we v/ill lay 
a barrage at night, and then the regulars rest up while 
the reserves go in for real practice. 

SEPTEMBER 9 — Today we fired from 7:30 a. m. 
until 4:30 p. m. For almost a month now we have been 
battling away here, striving against ignorance and pre- 
paring to meet old Fritze. After retreat the band plays 
in the Battery street or may render a concert in the band 
stand in front of the "Y." It is rumored that we are to 
give up the horses and get tractors. Today the 312th 
suffered the loss of three of their gunners when the 
breech block of one of their 75s was blown off. 

OCTOBER 1. — The tractors are here and the tractor 
drivers are as busy as bees, learning to "strutt their stuff." 
Tonight we laid a barrage and the entire Regiment was 
present to see the boys in action. The rocket signal went 
up and the pieces were turned loose. The entire sk3^ 
was ablaze and the noise of projectiles whistling through 
the air sounded like a thousand racing freight cars sweep 
ing down some long incline. The colonel (Colonel W. H. 

21 



BATTERY "A" 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 



.Carpenter, for now Colonel Cole has left the Regiment) 
was well pleased and complimented the boys highly, 

OCTOBER 4 — Battery ''A" lost one of their men to- 
night he was run down while assisting a detail that was 
moving their gun in a new position. The Spanish Influ- 
enza is raging and our boys are getting a daily spray of 
nose and throat; the squad rooms are mopped out every 
day with a disinfectant water. Our blankets are given 
a thorough airing when the sun comes out and it is not 
raining, and thus every precaution is taken to protect the 
boys from the rages of this awful epidemic. The boys 
of the 312th are dropping out six and seven a day. The 
''Y" has been closed and every wine shop made to close 
its doors until the epidemic is checked. 

OCTOBER 12 — We attended the funeral of Private 
David F. Walker today. The entire Regiment, headed 
by the band, marched to the hospital where friends act- 
ing as pall bearers, bore the body to its last resting place, 
while the Regiment headed by the band marched behind. 
After brief remarks by the Chaplain, the casket was low- 
ered into the grave, the rifles fired over the body and 
taps blown. This was a repitition of a similar ceremony 
upon the death of Private Willie Lee of Battery A. 

Many of our boys are being sent to the hospital while 
others are being mpved into separate barracks and there 
quarantined. 



22 



IN 3EEMOKY OF 

WHO BIED OF PNEUMONIA 
AT LA COURTINE. FRANCE 

PRIVATE DAVID F. WALKER 



Asleep where the hill slopes away to the West, 
And the wind whispers through the pines ; 

Beneath the green French heather 
Until the end of time. 

They buried him on the side of the hill 
That slopes away to the West; 

For over the sea where the red sun sinks. 

Are the friends whom he loved the best. 

The same fleeting rays which dimly shine 
On his newly sunken grave ; 

Kiss the cheeks of a wife and mother 

In the land of the free and the brave. 

And when victory shall herald the day of peace 

Throughout the realm of man ; 
They'll write his name on the honor roll 

Back in his native land. 
'First of the Battery to pay the price 

Of victory beyond the sea; 
First to answer the bugle's call 

From time to eternity. 

"At rest!" has been given, and also "At ease," 

By the General who rules supreme, 
A friend we knew and loved is. gone 

The past is as a dream. 
A comrade has fallen from out our ranks 

But hi's spirit spurs us on, 
'Til we wake to victory and peace 

On the day of the Judgment Morn" 



OCTOBER 13— The 349th and 350th Artilleries are 
talking about moving to the front and are bringing their 
pieces in. Surely we are to follow, but there is no "La- 
treen" to that effect yet. Tonight they are having a swell 
banquet — chicken and all other dainties Lliat they are 
able to get here where everything is scarce and as high 
as the sky — and cognac too. These two regiments are 
highly thought of, because of their excellent sTiowing on 
the range, an^d for their splendid ball teams. The 350th 
also have the best talent of any regiment that has yet 
been put on program at the "Y." 

OCTOBER 20 — Every single horse in the camp has 
disappeared and we are motorized beyond a doubt. The 
horsemen now are relieved of their picket line duties and 
are again hiking with the other boys. The boys are not 
permitted to leave the camp without a pass, and only 25 
percent of a Battery each night-another step to check the 
spreading of the "Flu." The 349th and 350th Artilleries 
have moved out and are on their way to the Front. Every 
fellow in the regiment has been given notice to dispense 
Math all useless junk for we too, are to leave for the front 
in short. We are having daily inspections of all kinds 
while they continue to spray our throats and make us 
wear our gas masks and helmets. 

OCTOBER 25 — Farewell Battery entertainments are 
the fad at the "Y" now and Battery "A" is pulling or its 
stunt tonight. With its Jazz Band and Sergeant Gres- 
ham they are making the hit of the season, in the din- 
ing hall sandwiches, cakes and hot chocolate are being 
served. — What a wonderful night. 

OCTOBER 26 — Tonight was our night of entertain- 
ing. With Sergeant Pettigrew in charge and Sergeant 
Harry Hunt Jr., acting master of ceremonies we pulled 
off the most spicy entertainment of the season. Pianc' 
and vocal solos, readings, glee club and quartet music 
made spicy with buck and wing dancing and with the 
silly songs and sayings of "Midnight" (Eldridge Horn- 
beak) and "Day Break" (Harry Singleton.) We were 



also banquetted and highly complimented by our acting 
Captain, Lieutenant P. J. CantwelL While we sing and 
dance and feast, details are moving our pieces to the sta- 
tion where they are being loaded, for we are off to the 
Front tomorrow. 

OCTOBER 27 — 10 a. m., and we are bidding good^ 
bye to Camp LaCourtine. All day we travel through 
beautiful Southern France. We see many soldiers of all 
nationalities and also many German prisoners. Some are 
clad in shabby mismatched uniforms while others wear 
grass green suits or gray uniforms. They all wear round 
caps with red bands and two buttons on, one red and the 
other black. This is really like a pleasure trip, 

OCTOBER 28 — It was about 11 o'clock tnis niorninp; 
that we drew into Froard watching an airplane eombat 
from the doors and windows 'of our swell French box cuis. 
There was no doubt about it, "old Boche" was on the look 
out and we knew it. He escaped unharmed, but no 
harmed, but no one was surprised when he returned to- 
rng'ht with his "buddies" to raid the town. We had un- 
loaded our pieces and rolled them around on the road 
that runs along the canal. We had been assigned to our 
billets, messed and were up town making merry, when 
suddenly we saw unleashed searchlight beams leap to the 
floating cloud patches above and to the else unlighted 
siy; then a fraction of a second later and the red flame 
stabs of our anti-aircraft gun Drojoctiles as they bursted 
overhead gave the assurance that our forces were on the 
job. The beams of the searchlights swept the sky and be- 
low multitudes of frightened citizens hastened to and fro 
through the crowded streets. The more curious than 
bold American soldiers sauntered up and down, from 
wine shop to wine shop where uneasy barmaids fretted 
because the doors were being opened and tried to ex- 
plain, in French, the dangers of an unscreened light. 

The electric cars running to Nancy were stopped and 
the lights dut out, but not until I had ridden In walking 
distance of this beautiful city, which since the beginning 

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of the war had been a constant victim of air raids. Here, 
too, the population was in an uproar while "old Fritze" 
was "strutting his stuff." Without any great damage 
he was driven off — Nancy suffering the death of seven of 
her citizens and Froard escaping by a hair's breath. 

Thus ends my first year in the service, and as I lie 
down to rest, I hear the distant booming of howitzers. 
We are indeed in the valley of the shadow, iind hence- 
forth it must be shoot to kill. 

OCTOBER 29 — At 2 p. m., we began our journey 
to the real front. The rest of the Battery will follow 
tonight, but we, of the gun squads, are headed straight 
to the front, while the Battery is to rest in reserve at Ville 
au Val. After about seven hours journey we arrived at 
Belliview Wood, the scene of one of the most terrible bat- 
tles of the war. It was night and we were not able to see 
much of this historic place, but we were able to feel its 
importance. We had mess here, after which we resum^ed 
our journey and arrived at our gun positions at 10 p. ra. 
It is dark and as we place our guns in position we can 
hear the booming of cannons and the whistling of projec- 
tiles through the air. Our pieces in place, we retire for 
the night, in an old French barn where we try to make 
ourselves comfortable for the night. 

BACK WITH THE BATTERY— This was our first 
night's march. Packs were loaded on trucks and the Bat- 
tery swung across the canal, through Pompey's unlighted 
streets. No one was to smoke, no one was to even light 
a match. All conveyances were without lights and but 
for a clear sky with its myriad of sparkling stars we were 
cloaked in darkness. About midnight we crossed the Mos- 
slle and struck the high road to Vile au Vail. There 
crouching on the slope of the hill were our barracks. Our 
spirits grew lighter as we neared this haven of rest, but 
we were to be sadly disappointed, for the news swept 
down the line that the barracks were already occupied 
by doughboys and that we must sleep without on the 
ground. Lieutenant Rogers had made his bed on the 

27 ^ 



side of the road and those who had preceeded us in trucks 
(details of men who could not make the trip by foot) had 
taken possession of all the surplus shelter that this little 
muddy hole afforded. Disgusted and sorely wc souc^ht 
out the m^ore comfortable spots, and even there, where 
frost had already fallen, lay ourselves down, while others 
noisily, profanely, full of horse-play and ear-burning jests 
tramped all night up and down the muddy road. 

Morning broke, revealing a mass of frost covered 
khaki blankets from under which crawled an entire regi- 
iment, bewildered and stiff with cold. A sip of good, hot 
coffee to drive out the chill and we were smiling again. 
About- noon the doughboys moved out and we took pos- 
session. 

OCTOBER 31— The forest lay dim and hushed be- 
yond the fringe; on one side stood Pont a Mous,':on from 
which Joan of Arc raised her head to kiss the drifting 
clouds, while behind us St. Genevieve rose a gnostly mass 
of shattered walls; whispering leaves, crisp with Au- 
tumn's frosts, and crackling twigs sounded sharp as a 
shower of stones in the stillness. Great trees that once 
reared their majestic heads to mingle their foilage and 
shut out the light, were now but shattered slumps; every 
creeping, flying, walking creature, save man. awed, 
frightened or murdered, had left this a wilderness of hu- 
man frightfulness. And this is the front — the valley of 
the shadow of death — by day an abode of vague mur- 
murings deeper than silence; by night a burning hell. 

"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Our 
gas shells go over and their's come back. Five nights 
we have sent over these missives of death. At first we 
got immediate replies but now Fritze seems to be thin- 
ning out in this part of the fray and while we use to 
wake to find the roads shattered and shell torn, it is only 
an occasional whistling through the air we hear now 
and we wait to learn that it is only a dud. Wounded 
and gassed doughboys pass us going back to the hospital. 
On the road an occasional ammunition or rood truck is 

28 




] • — J^ivordun. 
2. — Liverdun, (tunnel entrance) 
3- — Pont-a-Mousson, (near front) 



4. — Xancj'. 

5. — Lathus, Pos'toffice. 

6. — La C'ciurtine. 




/ 




Route Taken by 351st F. A. to the Line of Battle. 




Various stages ,n the travels of the 35 1 st and how thev wee accomphshed-Showing the route of the Steamship Great Northern fronrr 
Hoboken, NcNV Jersey, to the port of Brest, France; showing the location of the most important cties and villages through wh.ch 

it passed enroute to and from the Battle Front and the place where it was located when the Armistice was signed. 

This Book and Map — Copyright by J. E. Moore 




1 • — ^P o n t - a - IVI o Li'.ss o u 
2. — Cafe in Couterne. 
3. — Cauterne. 



■i. — La thus 
5. — French Peasants. 
6. — Town near Port sur seille. 



seen, while on either side, telephone men tamper with 
their tangled heap of wires. 

NOVEMBER 5 — Transferred back with the Battery, 
I am acting as 1st Sergeant, as 1st Sergeant Jackson has 
gone on leave. I could not stay away from the boys, 
however, and just had to go up and see how things were 
rocking along. They are in the new positions and as 
happ-/- as if they were feasting. "Old Boche" is ever on 
the "alert, scouting in his elusive little airplanes, while 
our anti-aircraft guns pump away at them for all they 
are worth. The boys are delighted because of the good 
chow they are getting now. "Nothing to do during the 
day except eat and sleep, and at night throw gas shells 
at old "Boche." 

NOVEMBER 10 — We are beginning to feel like old 
regulars. It is very seldom now that old Fritze returns 
the fire, but instead he sends over his airplanes which 
keep our anti-aircraft guns ever bleching away. Today 
I saw- them (our gunners) bring down an enemy plane. 
Shrapnel from our guns fell all around me. 

Before we moved up to our new positions today we 
had to locate and destroy an enemy machine gun nesu 
This we did on the double, killing and chasing them from 
their lair. We fired for about two hours preparing to 
maiie our advance safe. When we had prepared and 
camouflaged our new positions, the tractors came bringing 
our pieces and very soon we were again ready for action. 

Had a very exciting trip back to the Battery : Our 
gas gave out, the truck was halted and old Fritze had. 
shell? falling all about us. We had to duc}c and dodge 
in every direction as dugouts were then too far awa3/'. 
Several doughboys of the 365th were also with us re- 
turning to the hospital as casuals. They had been 
gassed and were even yet not out of danger. We man- 
aged TO crawl through the barrage and reached our bil- 
lets about 1 a. m. This was my closest call. 

NOVEMBER 11 — 4 A. M., and we are laying a hell 
of a barrage. The Infantries are to go over this morning 

29 



and the whole forest screams with flymg shells. About 
nine o'clock word reached us that this effort had failed — 
the doughboys were late going over and lost about five 
hundred men, 

11 A. M., and we receive the following order: 

"Headquarters 1st Battalion 351st i\ A., A. E. F. 
November 11th, 1918. 
"All firing will cease at 10:45 A. M., November 11, 
1918. Battery Commanders will notify every man in 
their organization that they will under no conditions have 
any intercourse with the enemy in any way while :he 
Armistice is in force. 

"Battery Commanders will check up their Batteries 
and organize their positions. Find shelters for the men 
that are as comfortable as possible, but keep the organi- 
zation in such shape that it can move on short notice. 
By command of Major " 

The boys are mad with joy, but somehow it is hard 
to believe. Already som.e German soldiers are over this 
side conversing with the boys — "Le Guerre Finis." 

NOVEMBER 12 — We lost no time but moved in 
from the front "tout suite." Today we mingle with the 
French and drink to VICTORY. Never before has the 
little village seemed so small. The wine shops teem, with 
soldiers returning from the front as they thirst to quench 
their four years' thirst for peace. 

NOVEMBER 13 — Our Battery commander seemed 
to be at a loss as to the nature of program he would fol- 
low today. After a brief drill we passed through physi- 
cal examination and were then ordered to roll packs pre- 
.oaratory to making our first steps toward home. 

NOVEMBER 14, 15, 16— Again on the road. Hard 
sleeping on damp ground and poor food. From Ville au 
Val we hiked to Belleville where for two nights we slept 
on the damp banks of the canal. Even the air was damp 
and we had to build big fires in order to keep ourselves 
warm and dry. On the third day we were given orders 

30 



to strike tents and roll packs. After a most punishing 
hike of ten kilometers, we reached Pont a Mousson, where 
in the deserted homes of a once happy and prosperous 
people, we found shelter for the night. 

NOVEMBER 18 — After yesterday's (Sunday's) rest 
we are out early and ready for a short hike "sight seeing 
tour." Today we passed through many shell torn vil- 
lages, some entirely destroyed. The roads are dotted 
with shell holes and on either side the trees have been 
splintered to stumps by flying shrapnel. Thousands of 
feet of barbed wire stretched along the side of the roads 
and here and there the silence of the dead points out 
to us the graves of our fallen heroes. We visit the strong- 
ly built enemy dugouts and trenches where we find sou- 
venirs of all kinds. The feeling comes over me that now 
we have changed from a fighting unit to that of a tourists' 
excursion. 

Details are being sent back to Belleville to clean up 
the pieces standing along the banks of the canal, across 
the bridge from the big prison. Recently several soldiers 
have been hanged here, and from along the banks of the 
canal one may see the gallows from which they were 
hanged. We have received word that our guns will not 
be taken home with us. Already our tractors have been 
turned over to a white regiment in the Army of Occupa- 
tion. 

Rumor has it that so many soldiers from each 
Battery will be transferred to labor battalions and are to 
be left in France. The gunners of the big gun which we 
saw on rails at Belleville, told us that already so many 
men from each Battery of their Regiment had been trans- 
ferred and we begin to fear less we, too, may be 
separated. 

NOVEMBER 19 — Sight-seeing is proving to be a 
Begimental pastime. Today, near the famous battlefield 
between Pont a Mousson and St. Genevieve we saw the 
graves of a thousand fallen heroes. Thousands of Allied 
prisoners pass us as we hike, returning from Gerrnan 
prison camps poorly clad, pale and foot sore they come-^ 

31 



HEADQUARTERS' COMPANY 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 



Italians, Belgians, English, Canadians, Algerians, alL all 
— officers and enlisted men alike — some with a smile and 
n song and some the very picture of death. Thru villages 
raked by shell fire we tramp. Here we see a wrecked 
church and there a shattered cemetery. Further on we 
arrive at a chain of dugouts, the famous and much talked 
of electric lighted dugouts. Here we put in the whole 
afternoon. In these strongly constructed defenses "Old 
Boche" was indeed a match for any foe and well had he 
proven it. 

NOVEMBER 20, 21, 22 — These days we spent in 
cleaning up the front. Every bit of evidence of fighting 
that can be removed, we are removing, while trucks come 
up from Belleville and cart it off. Shells, powder, cam- 
ouflage and every conceivable kind of equipment that a 
soldier is liable to leave on the front during a hasty move- 
ment, is being put in a pile and carted off. During the 
days that we were in action only the gun squads, tele- 
phone details and instrument details, together with a few- 
extra details had seen service at the front. These num- 
bered about two hundred and fifty men from each Bat- 
talion. Now, however, it was up to the entire Regiment 
to clean up, and so it was that many of the boys who had 
otherwise been afforded no previous opportunity of com- 
ing up, were offered this opportunity to see where the 
regiment had met the enemy. It might be mentioned 
here, however, that during the two weeks following the 
signing of the armistice, many of the fellows went across 
No-Man's-Land seeking souvenirs. 

One afternoon our Battery visited Nomeny. Here 
on the summit of the most prominent hill, stands the stat- 
ue of Joan of Arc. This little village, built around the 
statue, had also suffered from air raids, and the long 
range guns of the enemy. Not only had they shattered 
the ancient walls of this quaint little village, away up 
in the sky, but even the statue bore evidence of having 
suffered from flying shrapnel. From the highest position 
we could see the great fortress Metz in the distance, 

32 




■^J;:^^>>^' 




standing there a bulwark of German military achieve- 
ment. Before leaving we were tempted to ring the bells 
that hang in the tower and to write our names on them. 
During these three days we visited Montauville near 
which village the 367th' Infantry and the 350th Field 
Artillery fired their last shots at the retreating Hun. 

DECEMBER 8 — For two weeks we have been polic- 
ing the area in which we are billeted, Pont a Mousson 
before the war was a city oi 22,000 inhabitants. So 
swiftly had the enemy swept down upon these people 
that they were forced to desert their homes, taking with 
them only what they could cart away and leaving the rest 
to the pillaging armies. During the four years of fright- 
fulness, in which time the city was alternately lost and 
won, it suffered the pillaging of both friend and enemy 
armies, and now, all that remains is what each had plun- 
dered and thrown aside. In many of the dwellings we 
find complete furnishings — bedroom sets, kitchen sets 
and complete sitting room furnishings, but everything dis- 
orderly and bearing every evidence of the pillagers' 
bands. These are the homes that we must set in order, 
burning the waste and sparing everything of value. This 
indeed, is quite an interesting task for the curious minds 
and in a sense we, too, repeat the act of pillaging, search- 
ing every corner for souvenirs, and in the wine cellars 
for what those who have preceeded us might have over- 
looked. No wine was to be found, however, nor anything 
of value for those who had come before us were skilled 
in plundering, nor did they have to hurry in their task. 

DECEMBER 15 — These are days of long hikes with 
full pack^. Rumor has it that we are to hike forty kiio- 
■ meters to Maron where we are to get a train going West. 
Every day, hike, hike, hike and every hike with full 
packs. Today we hiked to Vandiers, through Pagny, 
and Moselle, all shell-torn villages, and bearing every 
evidence of four years of wicked, hellish warfare. Some 
few French families have returned to their homes and at 
Pagny and Moselle we find a Japanese unit quartered. 

33 , 



BATTERY "B" 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 



With Major Gilbert in charge, we have nianaged to irk 
out the last of nine kilometers and with packs growing- 
heavier, we begin to retrace our footsteps. This is in- 
deed a task and many of us rather think we preferred 
the dugout life to such as this. 

DECEMBER 16 — Sunday and an opportunity for 
just a little rest. I visited Mountaville today where I 
met some friends of the 367th Infantry who were billeted 
there. We spent the day in telling of our wild exper- 
iences while in France and while on the irront. The 
doughboys can tell some hair-raising stories and should 
make swell entertainers when they get back to the States. 

DECEMBER 18 — This morning we received our 
emergency rations, four packages of hardtacks made in. 
1863, and one can of monkey meat (corn "oeef.) These 
rations we carry with us are to be used only in dire cases 
of necessity. Any soldier who violates this order is sub- 
ject to court martial. 

Major Moton, principal of Tuskegee Insiitute is here 
in^company with Lester Walton of the New York Age. As 
many of the boys as were not on details and especially 
those former students and graduates of Tuskegee listen- 
ed to a very interesting talk by him in the Infirmary court 
yard. His talk was full of inspiration and good cheer. 
Stating that the President had given him privilege to visit 
France and speak to the boys of the race, he made a 
strong appeal to the boys that they return to their homes 
and settle down as men of the future to useful employ- 
ment. With him leading, we sang his favorite song "In 
Bright Mansions Above." 

To make the day a more perfect one, my Christmas 
parcel arrived. You can imagine the joyous feeling 
which possessed me. I was reminded of my childhood 
days when old Santa used to slip clown the chimney with 
my goodies. 

DECEMBER 19 — Awakened to reveille for the last 
time in the grey French morning of Pont a Mousson, very 
soon we had slung packs and were ready to move out. 



xVt ten o'clock, after our billets had been carefully in- 
spected by the Colonel, the order was given to move out. 
The First Battalion moving out ahead and the second 
and third following, we were soon a long snaky line of 
silently moving khaki. 

And this was the beginning of that long and mucli 
longer heralded hike. With forty-five minutes to hike 
and fifteen minutes to fall out, we swung up the higli, 
white roads that leads to Toul. It was on this road that 
vve met a French artillery regiment, with 155mm howit- 
zers and horse drawn. Here was another opportunity 
to see the beauty of Franco, and it appeared all the more 
beautiful for we were winding away toward the Golden 
West. 

In the evening, when the shadows were growing- 
longer, the packs were getting more burdensome ; when 
men ahead in the Supply Company and Battery "A" were 
falling out by the wayside. Battery "B" was just begin- 
ning to "get right" on this her long prepared for journey. 
The shadov/s grow longer still, but in the distance the 
towering steeple of a cathedral flashes in view. It is 
Liverdun and below we see both canal and river as they 
circle through the valley, while in solemn grandeur the 
city on one side and on the other side the green topped 
forest, look down with jealous eyes. This is in de eel the 
mcst beautiful place we have visited. The river and the 
canal vie with each other to make the whole a land of 
beauty. 

DECEMBER 20 — After a snatched sleep in hay barns, 
for this was the only shelter Liverdun offered, we tum- 
bled out to mess and as usual to explore the new town. 
High town was a congested lot of closely built stone 
dwellings with a main street which was hard to find, 
while below lay Lowtown, along the railroad track and 
on the banks of the river. Here we were given an op- 
ponunity to "live high" and this is how we lived : 

Breakfast of two dozen eggs (for six hungry men\ 
S francs per dozen; roughly $3.20 in American money. 

Mutton, pork chops or ham, 12 francs or $2.40. 

35 



Jam, 3 francs or 60 cents, 

French fried potatoes, 5 francs or $1.00. 

Butter, 4 francs, or 80 cents. 

Bread, 2 francs or 40 cents. 

Beer, two bottles to the man $1.92. 

All this, the average meal and three times a day- 
amounting to $30.96 plus the three francs for preparing 
tiie uncooked food and the china service. Divided, each 
man paid his 25 francs per day or his 8 or 9 at each meal 
-with no thought of the frightful total. Thus we lived 
three days at Liverdun. 

DECEMBER 21 — Today we ran short of ratioiri and 
each man had to turn in his supply of emergency r;£.uions. 
Nothing to do but rest, ramble and explore. Once today 
the Battery hiked up the hillside for wood. Many of the 
boys have learned that Pompey and Froard are but a few 
Mlometers away, and up along the canal that runs over 
the river many of them hike and search for mischief — 
soldier like.. One, Private Farrington, fell into the canal 
trying to avoid a collission with an auto. He wa,s not 
jiurt but was thoroughly wet. Today I visited the big 
ammunition plant on the road to the river. Here I saw 
both men and women at work — not making shells, how- 
ever, for now France has really begun to study war no 
Biore. This, in time of war, was the object of many" air- 
plane raids, for here were many thousands of 75 and 
155 shells. 

DECEMBER 22 — Out of our bunks of straw at 1 a. 
m., long before dawn, and with full packs, we descend 
the slippery streets on the side of the hill, while a cold 
mist patted us in our faces. The Batteries formed and 
the signal given, we began our journey out of Liverdun, 
across the iron bridge that spans the river over \A/"hich 
the canal runs. And now as we ascend the 1700 meter 
bill and small flakes of snow begin to settle over our caps 
and packs, -a song rings out upon the chilly morning air, 
"There is rest for the Weary." Soon the top of the hill 
is, reached and we strike a good road. The entire forest 



Yanks. But still it snows and as dawn breaks, far down. 
rings with the joyous shouting of a thousand happy 
the line we see a string of slowly moving soldier boys and 
from them rises the puff of white vapor like the steam. 
from a thousand panting buffaloes. Outrunning the 
snow storm, we arrived at Maron about 8 a. m. Here 
through an error on the part of our officers, we entered, 
the French box cars overlooking the river. No sooner 
had our mistake been discovered than we marched out 
into the streets and again into the straw billets of Maron's 
hospitality. 

DECEMBER 25 — The day dawns and finds us pack- 
ed like sardines in swiftly moving American box cars. 
The car in which I ride smells of smoke and even so da 
we who have had to let the smoke from a French coal 
fire saturate our clothes. It is cold and we should pre- 
fer being closer together and snug, but instead we are 
cramped and piled against one another. Monkey meat 
and hard tack is our breakfast, dinner and supper and 
we shudder when we are reminded that today is Christ- 
mas — the first Christmas of the new era of peace. To- 
day for the first time we seem to have a feeling of having* 
made a sacrifice and to have sacrificed all that is dear to 
one on this day of the year. And all our Christmas cards 
and letters have been fervently expressive of a Christmas 
so unlike ours today. Despite all these thoughts how- 
ever, we try to be light of spirit and as we swallow the 
last bit of our Christmas dinner we choke down a sigh 
and an oath. 

DECEMBER 26 — This was Couterne, cleanest little 
French town ever. I was frightened speechless this 
morning when I met several fellows with whole loaves of 
bread under their arms. Cognac was flowing freely and 
every soldier's breath possessed that gladsome fragrance. 
Every Frenchman was extending a welcome and so 
crowded were the butcher shops that a fellow had to be 
on his toes if he had any hopes at all of being served. 
This was another of the beautiful little cities that had 

37 



never before seen an American soldier, and as to them,- 
as well as to us, this day was a holiday. The boys were 
feasting for sure and while there had been no real Christ- 
mas the day before, believe me, tne boys were celebrat- 
ing their Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year. Eat- 
ing, drinking and resting was our program, nor did a sin- 
gle fellow shirk his part. 

DECEMBER 27 — There will be no afternoon forma- 
tions until after the New Year. We drill a little in the 
forenoon and have physical exercises, but not much of 
either because of bad shoes. Tonight we enjoyed a five 
reel movie show in the schoolyard. 

JANUARY 1 — New Year in the A. E. F. for us was 
not unlike any other day with the exception that we 
hiked six kilometers to Bagnoles for bath — the first since 
we left Pont a Mousson. Bagnoles is a French summer 
resort, a very, very beautiful little city nestling in the 
wooded hills where the idle rich spend their summers.' 
Here they enjoy the mineral water baths and it was here 
that our entire regiment was bathed in this pool of chilly 
water in the cold month of January. Many of the fel- 
lows were quarrelsome but were all made to take the 
bath, after which we hiked back to a New Year dinner 
of salmon instead of the longed-ior extra New Year din- 
ner of sweets and good things. 

JANUARY 2 — We are back to our regular program 
of regular drills, physical exercises and inspections. Our 
billets are all being numbered and we are told that it is 
in this area that all troops returning to ^he States will 
rest before going to LeMans to delouse. The kitchen 
has been moved from around the corner by the church, 
down near the school house where we make all forma- 
tions. It rains night and day and we have no fires for 
we are billeted in barns filled with hay. 

JANUARY 5 — Today four of us hiked ten kilome- 
ters to LaFerte Mace. Here centered around the large 
cathedral we met many madamoiselles who spoke fairly 

'' ■ -38 



good English. Many of them are obsessed v/ith the idea 
that all Americans are rich and even venture to tell us 
that we are also rich. We blush and pass on. At a little 
wine shop nearest the cathedral we enjoyed a dinner of 
pork roast, French fried potatoes, salad and vin blanc. 
It was very necessary that we reach cam.p at Couterne for 
retreat, therefore bidding our new acquaintances au re- 
voir, we purchased tickets, costing only 32 cents, and 
boarded the 3 o'clock train for camp. 

We arrived just as first call was being sounded, stood 
retreat and thus ended the rare pleasure of our Sunday, 
spent partly at home and partly at La Ferte. 

JANUARY 6 — These are days of shoe shortage, food 
shortage, wet clothes, no fire and continuous rains. Those 
who have bad shoes and sore feet are placed on details 
which remain around their billets and police up, while 
those with good shoes take long hikes. We are learning 
to love Courterne as we learned to love Lathus, and 
every evening we visit the homes of friendly madamoi- 
selles. After retreat the band gives a short concert in 
front of the cathedral. 

JANUARY 7 — A disciplinary camp has been estab- 
lished and all those boys who have been A. W. O. L. 
must be placed in this camp from 15 to 18 days. Here 
their punishment takes the form of an 18 mile hike daily 
with full packs, even on Sundays and holidays. Money 
is running low again and they say we will get no more 
pay until we reach Brest. A new order has been issued 
which provides for a guard in every billet at night. This 
is a nuisance, but the boys serve good naturedly. The 
women wash our soiled clothes in the stream that flows 
past our Battery office and when we offer them pay, they 
refuse. It is getting cold and we go to the station for 
wood, which we burn in the street outside our straw 
filled billets. 

JANUARY 8 — The soldiers are beginning to receive 
new shoes. It continues to rain — a slow drizzle — and to 
grow colder. Many of the girls invite us to their homes 

89 














BATTERY "C" 331st FIELD ARTILLERY 



where they serve us hot coffee spiked with cognac. It 
has been discovered that certain soldiers in a certain bil- 
let have "cooties." The whole camp is being disinfected 
while the men are being examined at the infirmary for 
these pests. 

JANUARY 15 — This is the day that we were hoping 
to leave for Le Mans, but instead an order has been issued 
that we delouse here so that we will not be detained at 
Le Mans. The boys are very much disgusted with the 
method of delousing and many are vowing that Ihey will 
not go through this process. The announcement is made 
that he who is inspected at the port of embarkation and 
found with cooties will not sail. Bath houses are prepared 
and each man is made to take a hot shower and to do 
other frightful and irrating things — supposingly, going 
through the delousing process. We are to leave for Le 
Mans as soon as every man is put through this process 
and every one is busy trying to get into shape. 

JANUARY 16 — Over night the stream has swollen 
until now it is out of its banks, and the family which lives 
across the bridge from our office is water bound. The 
floor of the wash shed at the end of the alley which comes 
out in front of the Cathedral is covered with water and 
the women cannot wash. We go on delousing and get- 
ting new shoes. 

JANUARY 17 — Today we hiked to Bagnoles on 
parade and while returning were caught in a rain storm. 
The boys were thoroughly wet and there is no place to 
dry. The men are beginning to make formations accord- 
ing to height and it is rumored that the General will be 
through soon and we are to pass in review. In the mean- 
time we are eating salmon for breakfast, salmon for din- 
ner and salmon for supper time. At some meals we 
have coffee without a grain of sugar— barefoot coffee — 
and some meals, no coffee at all. Yesterday it,v/as bare- 
footed with no stockings — cold. 

JANUARY 20 — It is rumored that our train will 
soon arrive. Already the 349th has left Domfront for 

40 



we saw them pass through, enroute to Le Mans today. 
We all hesitate at the thought of leaving Couterne so 
soon and we are promising our friends that some day we 
will return to France and to Couterne to pay them a visit. 
They have been like mothers, wives and sweethearts to 
us and while we await the arrival of our rjox cars we 
spend our idle moments enjoying the waining pleasures 
of their genuine hospitality, 

JANUARY 24 — This morning dawned clear and as 
details load the officers' bedding and the office supplies 
into the cars, our friends stand along the station front in 
the warm sunshine and engage us in farewell conversa- 
tions. Along toward 1 :00 o'clock we began our six hour 
"ride to Le Mans. It is cold in the cars and no fires are 
permitted. At 7:30 P. M. we drew into Le Mans. While 
the regiment hiked out to the camp I remained in charge 
of the baggage detail. 

JANUARY 25 — At five A. M. I piled into a truck 
and rode out to the camp where I turned in for a short 
but pleasant nap. Quite early after mess I went in 
search of some of my doughboy friends — 367th and 
368th. The whole 92nd Division is here, as it is here 
that all Divisions enter and are deloused before going to 
the States, provided they are to sail from Brest. Here 
soldiers have nothing to do but get cleaned up and 
equipped for the trip home. We are already clean and 
were placed in clean barracks instead of pup tents. Here 
we saw, for the first time, the Infantry and Artillery 
Buffalo. This is indeed a large camp but I am sick of 
them all now and am anxious to go home. 

JANUARY 27 — With lieatly arranged pack car- 
riers the whole Division, banners flying and the music of 
infantry and artillery bands playing, stands ready to pass 
in review before General Pershing. The parade ground 
is a vast sandy plane and in the back ground is a French 
Artillery, 

Just for practice we swing around the field once 
die the band plays. Here we eyes right, and a little 

41 



further; on we double time. It is cold and we hope it 
will not be long until the General arrives. At last he has 
come and the whole Division stands at attention in pla- 
toon formations. We being the heavy artillery are on 
the extreme left and are last to be inspected. He makes 
it sna,ppy and compliments the whole Division. We are 
glad when the time comes for us to pass in review and 
overjoyed at the opportunity to "strutt our stuff/' in 
front of General Pershing. 

Each regiment filed out and back to the camp. It 
was here that the biggest "bone" of our A. E. F. activitieB 
was "pulled" when, even though on the tail end of the 
parade, and with thousands of soldiers leading us, 
Battery "B" lost its way back to the camp and went five 
kilometers out of the way. 

Nevertheless, because, of the congested roads, as so 
many troops had preceeded us, we reached camp just as 
Battery "A" was entering, and in time for mess. 

JANUARY 28 — The boys of our battery have been 
so fortunate as to escape Le Mans. I do not know the 
results of the general examinations of our regiment here, 
but evidence points to the fact that the 351st has stood 
the test. As we stood in battery formation with full 
packs and ready to move out the report of a revolver was 
heard nearby. A fraction of a second later we were 
informed that the revolver of a certain oflficer had been 
accidently discharged, the ball passing through his tent, 
through the wall of the barracks nearest his tent and 
instantly killing Mech. E. Jones of Battery "D." Thirs 
was indeed an unfortunate occurance but we resign our- 
selves to the will of God and like soldiers pass on to other 
duties. 

Reaching a long string of American box cars, we 
entrain, unsling packs and begin to make ourselves at 
home. Maybe this is to be our last journey, by rail, iri 
France. 

On the following afternoon we . drew into Brest. 
After mess, near the detraining station w^e slung packs 

42 



and hiked out to the Pontanazen Barracks where we 
were billeted in tents. 

FEBRUARY 2 — Here for the last few days in this 
most detestable camp, we have been putting on the finish- 
ing touches. Thousands and thousands of soldiers are 
here and they work day in and day out, not even stopping 
at night. But every thing seems to be toward one end, 
and they tell us that tomorrow we are to embark. This 
is one of the strictest camps in France, discipline being- 
enforced to the letter. Marines have charge of the ¥1, 
P. duties and exact every military courtesy from both 
officers and enlisted men. The kitchen here handles 
from ten to thirty thousand soldiers at each meal. Bat- 
teries and Companies must march up at attention and io 
charge of officers when going to and fro through the 
camp. When the men finish their mess they return to 
their billets marching at attention and in charge of a 
non-com. Each day kitchen details are sent ud to help 
at this tremendous task of feeding so many soldiers. 

Yesterday we were marched to the Pontanazen 
Barracks Infirmary Headquarters where we were again 
examined for cooties. And tonight as it rained news 
came into the battery office that the third Battalion is 
not to sail with the rest of the Regiment. 

FEBRUARY 3 — We have been informed just what 
to do with our beds and where to put our tv/o extra 
blankets. Policing details have been busy today, and 
while some were busy on the coal and wood "details 
others were filling the water tank. We were paid oc 
the first, and of course, many of us are passing away the 
time playing poker. 

Tonight details were sent to Brest to unload food 
supplies from home (America) beef. pork, liver, bacon 
•and every thing nice that we are just learning has been 
sent across. We wonder where it goes as we never get 
any. We had taken our mess kits and evidently were 
to work quite late, but word is received that we are to 
sailin the morning and back to the barracks we hasten 

43 : -■' 



only to learn that our sailing has been postponed 24 

hours. 

FEBRUARY 4 — Details go down to the boat and 
surely tomorrow we ar^ to embark. Tonight while we 
wait for the "latest Latreen" Corporal Barnes brings it 
back that we move out in the morning, but the Third 
Battalion is not to sail with us. Three of our battery 
officers are to be left behind and one enlisted man. 

FEBRUARY 5 — Awakened at 4 A. M., we had soon 
returned from mess, policed up around our tents and 
rolled them from the sides. All fires were extinguished, 
bed ticks and blankets turned in and now we stood in Bat- 
tery formation on duck boards that ran the entire length 
of our little narrow Battery streets. It was raining and 
our packs grew heavy while water wet us from head to 
foot. For an hour and fifteen minutes we stood there in 
the rain, like beast of burden, while our billets were gone 
through by the camp inspector. 

When the inspection was finished we moved out 
through the muddy streets in the rain, toward Brest and 
to our waiting transport. But Brest was fully five kilo- 
meters away and the warehouse on the water's edge, 
from which we were to embark, measured no less than 
six kilometers from our starting place. The roads were 
all muddy and falling out was out of the question, there- 
fore, on we trudged, stopping here and there for only 
three or four minulres to put a pack in proper shape. 

At last we drew into the warehouse, away down on 
the edge of the water. Here we were made to stand 
with packs still unslung while Batteries ahead, filed down 
the gang plank and onto the ferry boat. 

Beyond the breakwater the sea lay becalmed, and we 
saw a short distance ahead, two large transports. Fin- 
ally going aboard, the farthest one, we were overjoyed 
at the opportunity to unsling packs and make ourselves 
comfortable. 

After mess we began our usual rambling — exploring 
he ship. Formerly the St. Louis, it is now the Louisville. 

» ^' ' i i •. 

44 



W9^f^^ 



It is strongly built and has a very pretty mess hall, but is 
not so spacious as the Great Northern. 

About three hundred soldiers, all casuals and few 
of the number, colored, beside a Company of the 368tb. 
are on board with us. There are also several nurses 
aboard who have seen service in the war zone. 

Night comes down and from the decks we see the 
gleaming lights of Brest as they loom up across the water 
and like a million flittering fireflies are reflecting in the 
wind rippled waters of the bay. Soon we are to bid 
good-bye to France. The Colonel, radiant with joy, 
walks up and down the deck, for we have all played out 
part in the great big game, we have stood the test in 
No Man's Land and are headed home again. And now; 
as we turn to our bunks below, our last thoughts are of 
home and our loved ones. 

FEBRUARY 6 — I was on deck at 3 :30 this morning 
and to my surprise the ship had begun her journey; hav- 
ing pulled out of port at 1 :00 o'clock sharp. 

What wonderful meals, and no one is seasick for 
the sea is calm. It is not cold and we go on deck without 
overcoats. We are told that it will take at least eight or 
nine days to go over, but why should we care when we 
are homeward bound? 

FEBRUARY 7 — Once more there is nothing to do 
but eat and sleep. The waves have begun to roll high 
and both sailors and soldiers are sea sick. We learn that 
many of the sailors are making their last trip for they, 
too, hope to be mustered out upon reaching the States. 
There is a large canteen on the after deck but the sea is 
so rough and the ship tosses so much that very few 
soldiers dare approach this part of the vessel less they 
become sea sick. 

FEBRUARY 11 — The waves continue to roll high; 
we ran into a rain storm yesterday and today we ran into 
a hall storm. The wind is blowing at an average of ninty 
miles an hour and at times even the upper deck is swept 

45 



BATTERY "D" 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 



by the leaping water. When the wind blows from the port 
side we are chased around to the starboard side while 
the doors which open on the port side are closed and 
made fast. If, then the wind changes and blows from 
the star board side we scamper around to the port side 
while the star board side doors are closed and made fast. 
And more than once we have been compelled to stay off 
deck altogether, because the sea is too rough. 

This evening, during mess hours, there was in awful 
list — 42 degrees to the star board side and 35 degrees 
to the port. Hundreds of soldiers in the mess hall were 
thrown back and forth across the floor. The lights went 
out and as the ship listed the weight of the soldiers as they 
held to the tables was too great and down came tables, 
men, mess kits, spoons, knives and forks, and, together 
with them, butter beans, coffee and hard tack, all flying 
in every direction across the slippery floor. 

Down below, rifles slipped from their hangings and 
flew across the floor; frightened soldiers tumbled from 
their bunks and snatching life preservers made a wild 
rush for the decks. 

When, at last the ship moved on smoothly, the lights 
came on and while the excitement abated, a thorough 
inspection was made to see if any one had been injured. 
Many of those soldiers who had been caught in the mess 
hall trap were taken wounded, bleeding and sore to the 
hospital ward. 

It was a surprise to all that no one was severely in- 
jured, but fortunately no one was, and while the storm 
still rages we hug our life preservers and search for 
missing mess kits and run away rifles. 

There comes that yearning now for land and we 
hesitate before going to our bunks, hoping that the storm 
will soon waste away, 

FEBRUARY 14 — We are entering smooth waters 
and the boys are beginning to police up their general 
appearance — getting their hair cut and their shoes 

46 



shined. Even those who have been sea sick and storm 
frightened are beginning to hop about on deck with a 
smile on their faces. Tonight in the Mess Hall several 
six round bouts of two minutes to the round were staged. 
Both soldiers and sailors were entrants. The hall was 
packed to its limits and soldiers and sailors even hung 
from the bunk frames. The winners were given the 
larger portion of a purse of $5.00 made up by the spec- 
tators. During the intivals Sgt. Gresham with his silly 
sayings made the fellows laugh. 

FEBRUARY 15 — With just about an eighteen hour 
journey before us, we began early this morning to roll 
our packs. The boys were busy writing telegrams and 
messages on the "welcome postals" which were issued us 
by the Y. M. C. A. secretary on board the ship. Fighting 
the "Flu," we continue the daily spraying of nose and 
throat while below the decks we mop the floor with a 
disinfectant. Today has been lovely — the sun shinning 
brightly and warm. Away off our star board side, we 
saw a vessel sailing in the same direction as we. It 
finally disappeared and we wonder if it is the Harrisbury. 

As the day grows older we grow restless and wonder 
if it is not possible to pull up into harbor before mid- 
night. The stiff wind that blows from the star board 
side is very cold and we cannot loiter on deck, therefore 
we, who cannot crowd into the concert vestibule where 
the sailor's band is entertaining, are first on deck bending 
our eyes to the skyline that we may be first to see a light, 
and then down below with some startling"latest latreen." 

After the band concert the boys were entertained in 
the mess hall with jass band music, solos and again by 
Sergeant Gresham with his most popular hits, "Good-bye 
Joan of Arc, Hello, Miss Liberty," and "On the Trail of 
the Lonesome Pine." 

Then came bed time. There were those who retired 
and slept well, but we who were more anxious to see 
"Miss Liberty" stood watch until the old bark pulled 
safely into port. For three hours our eyes followed the 
trail of lights which in the distance lighted the horizon 



ahead of us like a chain of sparkling diamonds around, 
some mammouth crown. And beyond those lights was 
America, home and everything. Everything dear that 
we had left for a while, in the great sacrifice, was there — 
mothers, fathers, wives, sweethearts, our families and 
®ur friends. This was our dream come true, and on the 
long ,ast mile of our journey these eyes of Mazda 
briiliance were welcoming us as they danced and smiled. 
We had returned and although storm tossea, weary, foot 
sore, wounded and still pursued by that most dreadful 
epidemic, Spanish Influenza, which even now we harbor- 
ed, and to whom already too many had fallen victim, we 
were jubilant for it was "Over over there" and we were 
the victors. 

Sweeter still, however, was the joy of being home 
again and tomorrow should prove it. 

Nearer and nearer came the lights and with joyful 
hearts we bad good-bye to the day that brought us here 
and turned our fondest thoughts to the fullfilments of to- 
morrow's hopes. 

FEBRUARY 16 — Long before dawn we rolled our 
packs, policed up and were out on deck. Both soldiers 
and sailors were making ready to disembark. And when 
day dawned, unrolling to view "Miss Libierty" and 
Gotham's imposing skyline, we were overjoyed. At 
eight o'clock we hoisted Old Glory while the band played 
the Star Spangled Banner. Soon the Mayor and his re- 
ception committee drew up on our port side, showering 
the boys with tobaccoes and fruits, while on board their 
ferry another band played popular airs. The decks 
surged with eager soldiers who scrambled for a place 
from which to view these our anxious mothers, fathers 
and sweethearts. Wild with excitment we returned 
cheer for cheer until our ears burned with the rasping 
applause and our voices grew hoarse from the hearty 
yells. 

Enroute to camp (Mills, L. I., N. Y.) we were served 
to cigarettes, cake, candies, sandwiches and all sorts of 

48 



goodies by the ladies of the Red Cross, Salvation Army, 
representatives of the Y. M. C. A. and K. of C. We were 

ferried up the East River to and thence to 

Camp where once more, in the "Land of the Free and the 
Brave" we found comfortable barracks with warm fires 
awaiting us, and plenty of food. 

And this was the end of a perfect day, near the end 
of a journey, too. Already we were coming into our 
own. No sacrifice could have been too great for those 
who now welcomed us home and for those who had sent 
them to welcome us. But now, "Finis le Guerre" and fin- 
ished is our first great day. We have reached the Gold- 
en West — God's country and here ends our story — the 
story of the 351st Field Artillery, America's first Black 
Artillerymen, "Pittsburg's Pride" the boys who put to 
flight the would-be spoiler of civilization, the boys who 
had made the "Kaiser shed his crown." 

"So here's to the Yanks of the 351st Field Artillery 

Who stood the test in No Man's Land in the fight for Democracy. 
All praise to the Allied Nations and to our own Red; White and Blue 

And now it's up to the Stars and Stripes to make it good for you. 
Tour gallant deeds are writ in gold across the page of time 

And though some .other mark may dim, yours may forever shine? 
Tour Division is set, a dazzling star in the Nation's martial crown 

And you are the idol of the Brigade that put Bill Kaiser down." 



49 



HEADQUARTERS 351st FIELD ARTILLERY 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

GENERAL ORDER No. 3. 

December 27, 1918. 
When you landed in France you were acclaimed as 
comrades in arms, brothers in a great cause. In the 
days that have passed no man, no little child has had 
cause to regret that first glorious welcome. Surrounded 
by new and unusual conditions, beset by subtle tempta- 
tions, you have kept your hearts high and with purpose 
fixed on the high ideal of service, you have put away 
those things that did not contribute strength for the task 
at hand. You have been men. 

Through rain and in tents or in cold billets you 
have cheerfully pushed on to fit yourself for the final test 
and at length you came to the front lines. There, under 
fire by day and by night you served the pieces, sending 
back gas for gas and shell for shell, two for one. The 
orders reached the guns because you maintained the con- 
nections; the ammunition was there because neither the 
elements nor enemy stopped you. This n^ission has been 
accomplished and you have been what America expects 
her sons to be — brave soldiers. 

Your first six months of service on foreign soil have 
ended ; accordingly all Officers and enlisted men of the 
351st Field Artillery are authorized and ordered to wear 
one Service Chevron. As surely as this chevron stands 
for something accomplished, just as surely it imposes an 
added obligation ; it sets a new standard of soldierly 
qualities; it is a reminder of what manner of men you 
are. As you have earned it fairly and w^ell, so you will 
strive to be worthy of it and of the things for which it 
stands, every man a guardian of the good name of the 
regiment. 

By command of COL. WADE H. CARPENTER. 
George C. Mather. 
Captain F. A., U. S. A. 
Adjutant, 351st Field Artillerv. 
EDW. J. TURGEON. 

Major. Infantry, U. S. Army. (A true copy) 

50 



HEADQUARTERS 167th FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 
NINETY-SECOND DIVISION 

1. In leaving the 167th Field Artillery Brigade to 
take up other duties the Brigade Commander wishes to 
record in General Orders the entire satisfaction it has 
given him to have commanded the first Brigade of Negro 
artillery ever organized. This satisfaction is due to the 
excellent record the men have made. Undrtaking a 
work that was new to them,they brought to it faithfulness 
zeal and patriotic fervor. They went into the line and. 
conducted themselves in a manner to win praise of all. 
They had been picked for important work in the offen- 
sive which had been planned to start after November 11. 

2. The Brigade Commander will ever cherish the 
words of the Commander in Chief, the compliments he 
paid in all sincerity to this brigade while he watched it 
pass in review last Wednesday. He wishes the Brigade 
to understand that these words of appreciation were 
evoked only because each man had worked conscientious- 
\y and unflaggingly to make the organization a success. 

3. The Brigade Commander feels that he shouid. 
/ also make acknov/leclgement in General Orders of the re- 
markable esprit-de-corps displayed by the officers of the 
Brigade. They were pioneers in a field where at the 
start success was problematical. This being the first 
Brigade of its kind ever organized, it has been only nat- 
ural that the work of the men should have been featured. 
prominently, yet the same prominence and the same 
praise should be accorded the officers. While the Brig- 
ade Commander takes this occasion to speak of their 
splendid work, he believes that their greatest praise will 
come from the men themselves, not only now, but ever in. 
greater measure when they have returned to civilian 
life and have secured the perspective of time and experi- 
ence that will teach them how fortunate they were in 
making the race's initial effort as artillerymen under 
officers M^ho were both skillful artillerymen and sympa- 
thetic leaders. 

By command of Brigadier General SHERBURNE 

HARRY KING TOOTLE 
1st Lieut. F. A., U. S. A., Acting Adjutant. 
51 



HEADQUARTERS OF 92nd DIVISION 
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

November 18. 1918 

MEMORANDUM: 

Five months ago teday the 92nd Division landed in 
France. 

After seven weeks of training it took over a sector 
in the front line, and since that time some portion of the 
Division has been practically continuously under fire. 

It participated in the last battle of the War with 
creditable success, continually pressing the attack against 
highly organized defensive works. It advanced success- 
fully on the first day of battle, attaining the objective 
and capturing prisoners. This in the face of determined 
opposition by an alert enemy, and against rifle, machine 
gun and artillery fire. The issue of the second day's bat- 
tle was rendered indecisive by the order to cease firing at 
eleven A. M. — when the armistic became effective. 

The Division Commander, in taking leave of what 
he considers himself justly entitled to regard as Ms Di- 
vision, feels that he has acomplished his mission. His 
work is done and will endure. The results have not al- 
ways been brilliant, and many times were not encourag- 
ing, yet a well organized, well disciplined, and well train- 
ed colored Division has been created and commanded by 
him to include the last shot of the great World War. 

May the future conduct of every officer and man 
be such as to reflect credit upon the Division and upon 
the Colored race. 

By command of 
MAJOR GENERAL BALLOU: 

ALLEN J. GREER» 
^ v.. Colonel, General Scaff, 

Chief of Staff. 

52 




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